Plants in this genus are vines, shrubs or small trees. Leaves are
compound, either trifoliate or
imparipinnate. The inflorescences are
panicles, usually or , individual flowers are bisexual (i.e. each having both male and female organs),
pentamerous (with five parts), and covered with glands; petals are free of each other, there are ten stamens in two whorls, the inner whorl shorter, and one carpel. The fruit are flattened
follicles, often with a at the base and a small beak at the apex, opening on a longitudinal suture. Seeds one, black with a fleshy yellow
sarcotesta. ==Distribution and habitat==